Scar characteristics and treatment expectations: a survey of 589 patients.

Background: Scar tissue formation by skin injury is common and patients need treatments for cosmetic or functional improvement.

Objective: To determine the relationship between various characteristics of scars and patients' treatment expectations.

Methods: The subjects were patients who had one or more scars regardless of their intention for treatment between August 2007 and February 2008. The survey was conducted using paper forms on patients' first visits.

Results: A total of 589 patients (mean age 29 years) with various types of scars participated in this survey. Of the causes described by the patients, trauma was the most common (681 answers), followed by cutaneous diseases (189), and surgery (133). The treatment history of scars was recorded in 233 patients (39.6%), namely topical agents in 146 (62.7%), laser therapies in 79 (33.9%), and skin grafts or surgical scar revisions in eight (3.4%). Patients with a treatment history showed a more prominent expectation for the next treatment outcome (p < 0.05) and were willing to spend more time on scar treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Although it could not play a major role in choosing treatment modalities, treatment expectations can be significant as a part of a healthy doctor-patient relationship, of which the ultimate goal is always the best outcome for the patient.